Here Are Five Reasons To Keep Picking at Piketty

Return to Order Piketty's Tower of Jell-O

In the continuing debate on inequality, there are many who continue to point to Thomas Piketty as a kind of secular prophet who can offer words of wisdom. The French economist certainly has plenty of words that can be found in his worldwide bestseller, a weighty 700-page work called Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Whether … Read more

The Fear of God and Just Price

Return to Order What Makes a Product “Local?” 3

We find the concern and passion for justice reflected in a conversation between Saint John Bosco and a simple blacksmith who supported the saint’s works and began the following conversation: –“Do you know what my biggest worry is?” –“Surely it must be to live and die in the grace of God.” –“No, I’m not worried … Read more

Why do Our Comedians Kill Themselves?

Return to Order Why do Our Comedians Kill Themselves?

The tragic suicide of comedian Robin Williams contains many lessons. Everyone is quick to point out the contradictions of his life. Here was a man who had everything the world had to offer to fill his life—money, fame and an entertaining lifestyle. And yet far from satisfying him, he was left with an emptiness that … Read more

Capitalism Does Not Exist…

Return to Order How Money Should Be an Expression of Culture 2

With all the talk against capitalism, it would be helpful to have a good definition of the term. However, such a definition does not exist. The term’s origin comes from enemies of the free market. Jesuit economist Bernard Dempsey notes: “The answer is that there is no such thing as capitalism. The word is incapable … Read more

Return to Order Is Getting Around

Return to Order A Definition of an Economist 1

A good friend of mine reported on a meeting of local conservatives that she attended in St. Louis, Mo. She reports: “At the end, I held up a copy of Return to Order, and told about the book. Several folks were interested, and asked questions at the forum. I gave the president of the group … Read more

Return to Order: Organic Remedies and Upright Spontaneity

Return to Order The Stability of Generations 1

  (The Imaginative Conservative website has published the following excerpt from the book, Return to Order by John Horvat II) A second element of organic society involves the manner in which remedies are found. In searching for solutions, we must carefully observe the fact that organic solutions cannot be imposed upon a people as if … Read more

Piketty’s Bland New World

Return to Order A City Without a Soul 2

If it were to fall upon me to rename Thomas Piketty’s recent book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, I would call it Bland New World. My choice might seem strange since it is so far removed from the purely economic considerations that dominate the debate on this book. However, it does express the worldview found … Read more

Return to Order Events in Miami

Return to Order Return to Order Events in Miami 3

Written by Gary Isbell If there is a place where the ideas of the book Return to Order might resonate, it would be Miami. This is because author John Horvat’s description of an organic Christian society emphasizes the ties of family, community and Faith that are still very strong in this city of many cultures. … Read more

The Problem of ‘Reinventing’ the State

Return to Order American Law Is Based on Higher Law

Occasionally there appear books that by their great insight and scholarship come to define the terms of the debate surrounding great controversies. The Fourth Revolution: The Global Race to Reinvent the State, by John Micklethwait and Adrian Wooldridge, (New York: The Penguin Press HC, 2014), is not one of these books.     Free Book: … Read more

Local Production Also Involves Relationships

Return to Order Local Production Also Involves Relationships 2

  When talking about local productions, many people only think in terms of place. Many think “local” only refers to where production happens. However, “local” also involves relationships—in this case, local relationships. Over time people develope relationships with nearby producers so that these products became part of the local culture.   All this changed with … Read more